13 Rankers Reviews
2 Face-to-Face
1 Featherston
Stay in this gem of a spot at Ocean Beach. Raw, remote and exposed. Note - The access road includes stream fords that can flood in heavy rain.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC Wairarapa Central government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Wairarapa ▷ Featherston |
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Categories |
Baxter
Ranking: 9/10
Great little spot to take the dog! Went while the weather was good so easy to drive over the river mouths in a van, wouldn’t be so confident during rainy periods though. Road in/out is narrow in places but well sign-posted. Toilets were sufficient and covered bbq area with water (boil first).
Beautiful scenery, friendly people and plenty of sheltered spots in the camp.
Ae Marika
Ranking: 10/10
Ae marika this place is awesome. Didn't stay in the camp but across the road next to the beach, be aware that it's still under the DOC umbrella and the fees apply there too, according to the warden. I had paid on arrival
since I was going to use the cooking area and toilets. 40 odd kms from Featherston and still worth the drive. Will definitely make this spot a regular weekend stay over.
Emma Brownless
Ranking: 9/10
Beautiful little spot. Had to Ford a few streams to get there which was fun. Sites are amongst the bush and trees, not suited to large campers, though a few large vehicles had parked on the beachside. Two composting toilets. Highly recommended
MissRed
Ranking: 9/10
Spent 3 very happy nights here in my tent and can’t wait to go back again. Honesty box payment system and saw the ranger once while there.
PROS
Stunning scenery and very peaceful
Beach very close and suitable for fishing and diving
Plenty of shade
Very affordable
Spaces for campfires
2 long drop toilets that were tidy
Large shelter with table and seating to share, plus sink
Tap water available but needs boiling
Bike tracks to explore
CONS
Road quite rough and rocky and not good for very low vehicles and best in fair weather
Tent sites are small, rocky and not very flat...best suited to small tents
Has the potential to be very windy!
Beach not ideal for swimming
Limited cell cover
Quite a bit of rubbish in the bushes.....needs a clean up
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R Davies
Ranking: 10/10
Absolutely stunning scenery. Worth a drive and a gorgeous peaceful little campsite. Nooks and crannys - best suited for small tents and small vehicles. Large cooking shelter and two long drops (both very clean).
Jackue
Ranking: 10/10
Toilet open all night. Quiet spot. Bit of a rough sand road.
Jennifer Roberts
Ranking: 9/10
Great location, nestled in the edge of the forest, across the road from the beach. Watched dolphins feeding each morning in the bay, listened to native birds, basic long drop toilets well maintained. Definitely worth revisiting when it's quieter. Camp was overflowing for new year's eve.
John Howell
Ranking: 8/10
Great off the-beaten-track campsite, and only an hour and a half from Wellington. Pick fine dry weather though if you don't have a 4x4 or soft roader as the road does cross a couple of river mouths, so the gravel gets really rough, but our Mondeo wagon was fine on the access road, just slow right down and pick your path carefully to avoid bottoming out. The campsite itself is a simple self-service DOC run affair, with a sturdy covered picnic table and running cold water tap, and two long-drop toilets. All were both clean and serviceable when we were there. The tent sites themselves are scattered around a loop track, and there are good spots to park the car near where you can pitch your tent, so this is great if you are car-camping and like to bring a lot of stuff. However the tent sites are small, so you may have trouble finding somewhere to pitch a canvas house, but our smaller domes were OK. The beach is fantastic, and the bike tracks are an easy ride, the bush is peaceful. Im so glad we came when it wasn't busy, it felt like we had the place to ourselves.
Hollie Procter
Ranking: 8/10
Staying here was an awesome experience! To get to the spot you have to drive on loose stone and cross streams - I came here in the summer in my Nissan Cube, it was difficult, but doable. If you pop this campsite into your Apple Maps you may need to drive further till you find it. You'll know for sure when you get there. The beach was rugged and beautiful, the sites were well maintained and the shelter provided from the trees did its best to protect us from the harsh winds. For a campsite in the middle of nowhere the toilets were of an OK state and the picnic area big and roomy with a sink. Such an awesome place if you want to get away and get back to nature!
Graeme
Ranking: 4/10
Didn't reach the camp due to the condition of the road at the first ford. Couldn't get the camper up the small bank on the far side of the ford, however freedom camping was available on the foreshore in front of the small baches or cribs.
Immo Kern
Ranking: 9/10
You can camp there and in the morning there are a lot of fishers and surfers who are really willing to teach and show you!
sarah and kane
Ranking: 9/10
Great spot!!
The gravel road is well worth the journey. Good ol kiwi batches run along the coast. Great fishing. To stay in the offical doc campground will cost $6 a night - using an honesty box and log. Although you can freedom camp on the otherside of the track.
Love this place.
Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍